NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your
computer.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and
tells you how to avoid the problem.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or
death.
This item incorporates copy protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights of
Rovi Corporation. Reverse engineering and disassembly are prohibited.
__________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell™, the DELL logo, Inspiron™, and DellConnect™ are trademarks of Dell Inc. AMD® and
ATI Radeon™ are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Microsoft®, Windows®, and the
Windows start button logo are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and is used by Dell under license.
Blu-ray Disc™ is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names
or their products. Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
January 2011 P/N JH2TH Rev. A00
Contents
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop . . . .5
Before Setting Up Your Computer . . . . . . 5
Connect the AC Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
This section provides information about
setting up your Dell Inspiron laptop.
Before Setting Up Your
Computer
When positioning your computer, ensure that
you allow easy access to a power source,
adequate ventilation, and a level surface to
place your computer.
Restricting airflow around your laptop may
cause it to overheat. To prevent overheating
ensure that you leave at least 10.2 cm
(4 inches) at the back of the computer and
a minimum of 5.1 cm (2 inches) on all other
sides. You should never place your computer
in an enclosed space, such as a cabinet or
drawer when it is powered on.
WARNING: Do not block, push objects
into, or allow dust to accumulate in
the air vents. Do not place your Dell
computer in a low-airflow environment,
such as a closed briefcase, or on fabric
surfaces, such as carpets or rugs, while
it is powered on. Restricting the airflow
can damage the computer, deteriorate
the computer performance, or cause
a fire. The computer turns on the fan
when the computer gets hot. Fan
noise is normal and does not indicate a
problem with the fan or the computer.
CAUTION: Placing or stacking heavy
or sharp objects on the computer may
result in permanent damage to the
computer.
5
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the AC Adapter
Connect the AC adapter to the computer and then plug it into an electrical outlet or surge
protector.
WARNING: The AC adapter works with electrical outlets worldwide. However, power
connectors and power strips vary among countries. Using an incompatible cable or
improperly connecting the cable to a power strip or electrical outlet may cause fire or
permanent damage to your computer.
6
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the Network Cable (Optional)
To use a wired network connection, connect the network cable.
7
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Press the Power Button
8
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up Microsoft Windows
To set up Microsoft Windows for the first time, follow the instructions on the screen. These
steps are mandatory and may take some time to complete. The Windows setup screens
will take you through several procedures including accepting license agreements, setting
preferences, and setting up an Internet connection.
CAUTION: Do not interrupt the operating system’s setup process. Doing so may render
your computer unusable and you will need to reinstall the operating system.
NOTE: For optimal performance of your computer, it is recommended that you download and install the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer available at support.dell.com.
NOTE: For more information on the operating system and features, go to
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
9
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Create System Recovery Media (Recommended)
NOTE: It is recommended that you create system recovery media as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows.
NOTE: Your computer does not have an internal optical drive. Use an external optical drive
or any external storage device for the procedures that involve discs.
The system recovery media can be used to restore your computer to the operating state it
was in when you purchased the computer, while preserving data files (without the need of the
Operating System disc). You can use the system recovery media if changes to the hardware,
software, drivers, or other system settings have left the computer in an undesirable operating
state.
You will require the following to create the system recovery media:
Dell DataSafe Local Backup•
USB key with a minimum capacity of 8 GB or DVD-R/DVD+R/Blu-ray Disc (optional)•
NOTE: Dell DataSafe Local Backup does not support rewritable discs.
10
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To create system recovery media:
Ensure that the AC adapter is connected (see “Connect the AC Adapter” on page 1. 6).
Insert the disc or USB key in the computer.2.
Click 3. Start→ All Programs→ Dell DataSafe Local Backup.
Click 4. Create Recovery Media.
Follow the instructions on the screen.5.
NOTE: For information on restoring your operating system using the system recovery
media, see “System Recovery Media” on page 59.
NOTE: It is recommended that you create a password reset disk as soon as you set up
Microsoft Windows. For more information, see the Windows 7 support at
support.dell.com/MyNewDell.
11
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Install the SIM Card (Optional)
NOTE: Installing a SIM card is not required if you are using an EVDO card to access the
Internet.
Installing a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card on your computer allows you to connect to
the Internet. To access the Internet you must be within the network of your cellular service
provider.
To install the SIM card:
Turn off your computer.1.
Remove the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 2. 36).
In the battery bay, slide the SIM card into the SIM card slot.3.
Replace the battery (see “Removing and Replacing the Battery” on page 4. 36).
Turn on your computer.5.
To remove the SIM card, press and eject the SIM card.
12
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
321
1 SIM card slot
2 SIM card
3 battery bay
13
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Enable or Disable Wireless (Optional)
14
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
To enable or disable wireless:
Ensure that your computer is turned on.1.
Press the <2. > key on the function key row on the keyboard.
The current status of the wireless radios appears on the screen.
Wireless enabled
Wireless disabled
Press the <3. > key again to switch between the wireless enabled or disabled states.
15
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Connect the External Optical Drive (Optional)
NOTE: Your computer does not have an internal optical drive. Use an external optical drive
for procedures that involve discs.
Connect the external optical drive to the USB connectors on your computer.
16
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Set Up the TV Tuner
(Optional)
NOTE: Availability of the TV tuner may
vary by region.
To set up the TV tuner:
Click 1. Start → All Programs→ Windows
Media Center.
Follow the instructions on the screen.2.
Connect to the Internet
(Optional)
To connect to the Internet, you need an
external modem or network connection and
an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If an external USB modem or WLAN adapter
is not a part of your original order, you can
purchase one from dell.com.
17
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up a Wired Connection
If you are using a dial-up connection, •
connect the telephone line to the optional
external USB modem and to the telephone
wall connector before you set up your
Internet connection.
If you are using a DSL or cable/satellite •
modem connection, contact your ISP
or cellular telephone service for setup
instructions.
To complete setting up your wired Internet
connection, follow the instructions in “Setting
Up Your Internet Connection” on page 19.
18
Setting Up a Wireless Connection
NOTE: To set up your wireless router,
see the documentation that shipped with
your router.
Before you can use your wireless Internet
connection, you need to connect to your
wireless router.
To set up your connection to a wireless
router:
Ensure that wireless is enabled on your 1.
computer (see “Enable or Disable Wireless”
on page 14).
Save and close any open files, and exit any 2.
open programs.
Click 3. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 4. network, and
then click Network and Sharing Center→
Connect to a network.
Follow the instructions on the screen to 5.
complete the setup.
Setting Up Your Inspiron Laptop
Setting Up Your Internet
Connection
ISPs and ISP offerings vary by country.
Contact your ISP for offerings available in
your country.
If you cannot connect to the Internet but
have successfully connected in the past, the
ISP might have a service outage. Contact
your ISP to check the service status, or try
connecting again later.
Have your ISP information ready. If you do
not have an ISP, the Connect to the Internet
wizard can help you get one.
To set up your Internet connection:
Save and close any open files, and exit any 1.
open programs.
Click 2. Start → Control Panel.
In the search box, type 3. network, and
then click Network and Sharing Center→
Set up a new connection or network→
Connect to the Internet.
The Connect to the Internet window
appears.
NOTE: If you do not know which type
of connection to select, click Help me choose or contact your ISP.
Follow the instructions on the screen and 4.
use the setup information provided by your
ISP to complete the setup.
19
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
5
6
4
23
This section provides information about the features available on your Inspiron laptop.
INSPIRON
Right View Features
20
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1 Antenna-in connector (optional) — Connects to an external antenna to view programs
using the TV tuner card (optional).
Audio out/Headphone connector — Connects to a pair of headphones or to a
2
powered speaker or sound system.
3
Audio in/Microphone connector — Connects to a microphone or inputs signal for
use with audio programs.
USB connector with USB PowerShare — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse,
4
keyboard, printer, external drive, or MP3 player.
The USB Powershare feature allows you to charge USB devices when the computer is
powered on/off or in sleep state.
NOTE: Certain USB devices may not charge when the computer is powered off or in sleep
state. In such cases, turn on the computer to charge the device.
NOTE: If you turn off your computer while charging an USB device, the device will stop
charging. To continue charging, disconnect the USB device and connect it again.
5
USB 2.0 connector — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
6
AC adapter connector — Connects to the AC adapter to power the computer and
charge the battery.
21
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
23
4
Left View Features
22
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1
Network connector — Connects your computer to a network or a broadband device
if you are using a wired network.
2
HDMI connector — Connects to a TV for both multi-channel digital audio and video
signals.
NOTE: For a monitor without built-in speakers, only the video signal will be read.
3
USB 2.0 connector — Connects to USB devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, printer,
external drive, or MP3 player.
4
and share digital photos, music, videos, and documents stored on memory cards. For
information on supported memory cards, see “Specifications” on page 74.
NOTE: Your computer ships with a plastic blank installed in the media card slot. Blanks
protect unused slots from dust and other particles. Save the blank for use when no media
card is installed in the slot; blanks from other computers may not fit your computer.
7-in-1 Media Card Reader — Provides a fast and convenient way to view
23
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
12
Back View Features
24
Using Your Inspiron Laptop
1 Security cable slot — Attaches a commercially available security cable to the computer.
NOTE: Before you buy a security cable, ensure that it fits into the security cable slot on
your computer.
2
VGA connector — Connects to a monitor or projector.
25
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